Piara Strainge
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All Things Writing Travel Photography

Pivotal therapy sessions

11/30/2021

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Work has died back to being agony aunts and uncles with covid questions, Omicron and the re-introduction of the red list, so I've taken the plunge and submitted my itinerary for India and Nepal in March next year to get costed up. I have the three weeks off and mum and I still really want to do this. Let's hope we can find a window of opportunity!

I'm working super hard to stay in my "adult" and not lose my way with dissociation whilst the fertility mental health hoops continue to spin around me. I'm seeing my therapist more regularly at the moment as part of my safety plan. We're having some really good sessions, pivotal in fact. I feel seen and heard and understood. It makes all the difference in the world, even though it's just one person seeing me and hearing me and understanding me. Having a safe space that I can fully trust in, well, there are no words for how comforting and reassuring and life affirming that is.
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Don't look back by Erica Spindler

11/23/2021

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I found this book in my mum’s overflowing book case. It seemed perfect for our holiday a month ago - not too taxing, would keep me interested and keep turning the pages.

I’m always interested when books are described as “page turners”. I read quite fast and when I get really into a book, I speed up even more - as long as I can follow the storyline with ease.. This novel lived up to the hype. Well thought out plot, gentle unravelling of details and enough suspects to wonder whodunnit but not so many that it was overwhelming.

The only bit I was disappointed in was that the lead character Kat fell in love with the lead police officer Luke. I think with today’s standard of novels, that’s a little too obvious. I wanted more sparring between them. Maybe that’s just me being picky, but I feel a lot of British writers achieve a more interesting dynamic.

The author here is American and the book is set in Louisiana. I don’t know much about this part of America, but the bits of dialect thrown in were good and reminded me of Blanche from The Golden Girls - a favourite sitcom of mine from the 80s. The story gave enough information about the main location Liberty and the surrounding area. I think that’s really important for setting the scene and as the plot develops.
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Ricky Gervais's SuperNature

11/16/2021

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This was my 39th birthday treat to myself - a front row seat to see Ricky Gervais at the London Palladium, performing his 6th live stand up show SuperNature. I wanted to make up for spending my 38th stuck on a psych ward!

The show was incredible. Gervais takes his comedy to the wire and then races way beyond. I don't know how anyone can take him seriously. Everything he says is tongue-in-cheek and it's clear he's nothing like his comedy in real life. Just watch the genius that is Derek and After Life - both raw, human observation that gets you right in the heart. Makes you laugh and cry simultaneously. He's brilliant and as I've often commented on here, I don't know why I avoided him for so long. I can't get enough of him. And no, I don't agree with some of his beliefs, but it doesn't matter. There's space enough for everyone.
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Quiet birthday

11/9/2021

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I'm flying at work which is really awesome, but I am not liking being kept in the dark by my care co-ordinator whilst my psychiatrist and fertility consultant correspond about me. This doesn't help my mental health! I'm still full steam ahead on making plans to be a mum - looking at bigger cars and making my front lawn into a driveway by putting a green parkable mesh over the grass so it isn't turning into tarmac.

I had a quiet birthday, ordering in food and some beers, watching some of my favourite shows of the moment and setting up my new 55 inch TV from my godfather and Uncle. It was all I wanted really and I felt very content, despite everything that's going on behind the scenes and the frustration I'm feeling.
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An Autumn Crush by Milly Johnson

11/2/2021

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I love all of the characters in this story. They are real, human beings who we can all relate to and whom we know of similar people in our lives. I also love the autumnal references which link so nicely with the title of the book, plus I was reading it during autumn! It's feel good, easy reading at its best with twists and turns and ample doses of warmheartedness.

Floz moves in with Juliet and Steve fancies Juliet and Guy fancies Floz. Steve and Guy are best mates. Then you have Juliet and Guy's parents and Juliet's best friend Coco. Mix up these wonderful characters together and you have some great interactions and authentic plot lines dealing with quite emotional issues at times (such as complicated grief).

This was my first Milly Johnson chick lit read and I think I would go back for more!
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    Author

    Blogging is an amazing concept so here I am giving it a whirl. You'll get words. You'll get pics. Sometimes a vid or two. You'll get tongue in cheek, the odd humble opinion and an honest insight into my travels and writing life. Maybe even a few gems along the way. I'll be musing on home turf as I see more and more of the UK and sharing my experiences further afield on holidays and adventurous trips across the globe. 

    Things you need to know about me: I love music. I love books. I love laughter. I love comedy, theatre and the opera. And mixed with all of that, I LOVE to travel, write and take photos.

    And, as of the 3rd April 2017, I'm on another journey, very different to my travel adventures. This is a journey of recovery. From grief, from depression and from Fibromyalgia. I will also be sharing the impacts these things have on my life now;  how I don't want them to change me, but they will, and already have, and yes, it's a rollercoaster.

    I hope you enjoy All Things WTP.

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  • Home
  • All About P
    • Recovery
    • The Writer
    • The Photographer
    • The Traveller
  • Books
    • Getting Ready to Freelance and Write
    • The Workings Of My Mind
    • An Introduction to the Publishing Industry today
  • Published Portfolio
    • Articles & Features
    • Guest Blog Posts
    • Web Copywriting
    • Poetry
    • Photos & Snippets
  • All Things WTP Blog
  • Contribute
    • DROP YOUR VERSE
  • Media Pack
  • DESTINATIONS